Category: Events

Paluma’s Best Gardens for 2024 – The winners are ….

One of the highlights of the Tropical BBQ last Saturday evening (aside from the excellent food and wonderful company) was the announcement of the winners of this year’s Garden Competition. As usual, Bunnings supplied both the prizes as well as the judges (Dee and Ange) for the competition. Despite a gruelling schedule of inspections from early morning to late afternoon, the judges’ enthusiasm for the wonderful variety of floral displays and landscaping never abated. In fact, they insisted on creating a new prize this year so that the 5 acre blocks also had a highly recommended garden (in previous years we only gave a highly commended prize for a village garden). We are very grateful to Bunnings for the ongoing support for this competition.

The winners this year are listed below along with comments from the judges.

Best 5 acre garden: Bobbi Parker

This garden made us feel like we were children on an a hunt through a magical forest and finding a secret cabin, everything was so well thought out. From the fairy gardens to the signage throughout, it truly was a magical experience

Highly Commended 5 acre garden: Don Battersby

We simply could not overlook the amazing abundance of spectacular anthuriums in a single location, we loved chatting to don about his beauties. The passion he has for his plants is very obvious and we look forward to seeing his orchids in bloom.

Best Residential Garden: Michele Bird

This garden immediately makes you want to grab a cuppa, maybe a book and never leave. We could easily have stayed forever, surround by the natural sounds of the rainforest and all its beauty.

Highly Commended Residential Garden: Glenda and Nick Van Rhynswood

What a spectacularly well thought out and maintained garden. The wide variety of plants and colours made for a captivating viewing experience.

Best Commercial Garden: Gumburu

This immaculately kept grounds was such a pleasure to view, it is very apparent that a lot of love and dedication are required to maintain this absolute gem.

Best display or unique plant: Peter and Dorothy Klumpp

Klump: The beautiful bed of multi coloured Anthuriums was a sight to behold, whilst the hints of Greek architecture throughout was so fun and playful. None of us were game to climb the tree-house ladder though

Congratulations to all the winners, and to all of our talented gardeners throughout

the village and blocks who have helped to make Paluma such an amazing and visually spectacular place to live in and visit.

Reminder: Koala Monitoring Update, 10am Saturday, December 7th

This coming Saturday there will be an update on what’s been happening at Mount Zero-Taravale Wildlife Sanctuary in 2024. Catering supplied, and for anyone keen, an optional tag-along trip to check out our feral predator-free exclosure fence – home to a growing population of endangered Northern Bettongs.

Mt Zero-Taravale Wildlife Sanctuary 2024 Update

In the valley or village on the weekend of the 7-8th December? Heading to the Paluma tropical Xmas BBQ (or even if you’re not)? Why not make a day of it on the Saturday and join us for an update on what’s been happening at Mount Zero-Taravale Wildlife Sanctuary in 2024.

The deets (more details in poster below): Saturday 7th December, 10am – 1:30pm. Catering supplied, and for anyone keen, an optional tag along trip to check out feral predator-free exclosure fence – home to a growing population of endangered Northern Bettongs.

🎄🎄🎄 Tropical Christmas BBQ 🎄🎄🎄

The PDCA’s end of year function, the Tropical Christmas BBQ, will be held on Saturday December 7th from 6:30 – 10pm. Bring along whatever you wish to cook on the bbq and a side to share. Or, you may wish to bring a dessert to share instead of a side, it is up to you. The bar will be open of course. It is time to kick back and welcome in the silly season.

Also, as is Paluma tradition, this year’s garden competition winners will be announced at the bbq. The judges, Angela and Dee from North Shore Bunnings, spent a very full day on Monday with Jamie, looking at all participants’ gardens. This was Dee’s first time in Paluma and both judges were thrilled to be up here enjoying the climate and the interesting plants it allows to grow as compared to Townsville. We ensured they had a lovely lunch and break so they didn’t wear out completely. It was fabulous to see quite a few Cairns Birdwing caterpillars munching away on the aristolochia vine.

Dee, Angela and Jamie enjoyed lunch in the cool on the hall verandah.

Text and images: J. Poletto

Paluma Garden Competion – November 25th

Our annual Paluma Garden Competition will be held on Monday, November 25th. As in the past there will be 2 judges from Bunnings who will be escorted around the village by a PDCA member. Bunnings will provide gift vouchers to the winning gardens, and will nominate the winner of the Alison Evans Memorial Trophy.

If you do not wish to participate in the competition this year please email Jamie Oliver (jamieo53@hotmail.com) before the competition date.

Reminder: Paluma Ultra and Trail Run next weekend

Dear Community,

This is a reminder about next weekend’s trail runs in and around Paluma village. It is also in our events calendar.

If you’re interested in where competitors will be running, please check out Outer Limits Adventures’ website. However, if you’re unaware, the 50km Ultra marathon starts early Saturday morning from Gumburu. The Sunday morning trail runs of 5km, 10km and 21km start from and finish at the Village Green.

This is another major event organized by Outer Limits Adventures which puts Paluma on the map for adventure racing. Please be patient with the increased amount of traffic and parked cars in the village on Sunday morning in particular. This event brings extra business to local restaurants and the PDCA is operating the BBQ and selling soft drinks to raise funds for the community.

Feel free to come to the village Green on Sunday morning to cheer competitors on at the start of their races.

Update on the Paluma Range Cassowary Citizen Science Event

A male cassowary captured on one of the ‘camera traps’ in the Paluma Range.

As you may remember from reading a post back in July, there is a multi-year study of the cassowary across Paluma Range currently underway. It has returned some exciting early results with images of at least 7 individual birds so far.  An update from the lead researcher, Wren McLean has been received and she has requested it be shared with the community as follows:

The 2nd Paluma Range Cassowary Citizen Science weekend has now been rescheduled to July 4th -6th 2025.  For those not yet already informed, my mother has surgery which is scheduled for the end of Oct 2024 so I have committed to caring for her post surgery. 
This event will begin at 5pm on Friday 4th July 2025 at the Paluma Community Centre where we can socialise, share an Indian dinner (by donation) and enjoy the open bar before a presentation on the results of the Paluma Cassowary Project and planning session for the weekend’s surveys.  

Please save the date and RSVP HERE to join the survey weekend. I will send out an email or two before the event to those registered in preparation for the survey.  Apologies for any inconvenience for the reschedule. I hope to see you there in July.  

Text and image provided by Wren McClean

A Happy October Sunday

Many punters enjoyed the offerings of the various stalls.

Two significant events occurred last Sunday, October 7th: our final markets for the year and the dedication of the Hylands’ Rainforest Walk.
Our last markets for the year, the Paluma Spring Markets, drew many visitors who browsed, chatted, laughed, ate and most importantly, spent their coin at our PDCA stalls. A slow start to the morning but foot traffic increased and remained steady till the end. Reports from all stall holders was one of being very pleased with their sales.

The SES book stall was very pleased with their takings for the morning as was the PDCA baked good and preserves stall.

Wilfred has reported takings for the day to be over $1400! Much gratitude and thanks for the efforts of all involved who have supported raising these funds for the PDCA – for your community. This couldn’t be done without the generosity of those in our community donating goods, time, skills and energy to ensure a successful market. We look forward to catching up with everyone at the next TGIF Friday social evening where we will put on a free sausage sizzle for those who may have missed out on one at the markets. Pass the word round and keep the date, Friday November 1st. Be great to see y’all there.

Jamie spoke of Les and Lynn’s enormous commitment and contribution to the Paluma community which Paul Jacobs acknowledged earlier during the unveiling of the sign.

Immediately following the Markets at 1PM there was a dedication ceremony for the “Hylands’ Rainforest Walk’ which our councillor member and Deputy Mayor, Paul Jacobs opened.  Those in attendance heard how grateful and lucky our community was to have Les and Lynn Hyland who have together contributed an enormous amount of time and effort over the past 40 plus years to Paluma.  It is obvious there are strong emotional ties and many happy memories Les and Lynn both have with Paluma. And it goes without saying they have left an indelible mark not only on the many events and improvements in our community but in our hearts as well.

Les and Lynn Hyland at the start of the walk named in their honour in recognition of their love of hiking in their younger days and their many contributions to Paluma Community. Photo: J. Oliver

Lastly, many thanks to all those who joined the working bees that have made the Hylands’ Rainforest Walk, just opposite the Community Hall, such a lovely easy stroll in the cool rainforest.

Text and photos by J. Poletto unless otherwise stated

Dedication of Hylands’ Rainforest Walk

At 1pm this Sunday, there will be an official dedication of the Hylands’ Rainforest Walk by Deputy Mayor Paul Jacobs.

All community members and visitors are welcome to attend. The walk is located opposite the rotunda at the community hall. Please be aware of traffic and stay well off the road.

Come and say ‘Hi’ to Les and Lynn Hyland, who have put so much time and effort into our community for more than 35 years.

Photos provided by Lynn and Les showing their active participation in community events and membership of the Rural Fire Brigade.

Text: J. Poletto Images: J. Poletto unless otherwise stated